1993 blasts case: two get life sentence

Two conspirators in the 1993 serial blasts case are given life sentences and three others were awarded jail terms ranging from five years to 14 years.

Two conspirators in the 1993 serial blasts case were on Tuesday given life sentences and three others were awarded jail terms ranging from five years to 14 years by a special TADA court.

Special Judge Pramod Kode awarded a life sentence to Pervez Qureshi, who was involved "in the conspiracy till early hours of March 12", 1993 but backed out at the last moment.

Qureshi was also involved in landing RDX and arms on the Shekhadi coast and he went to Pakistan for arms training. He was present at meetings of the conspirators.

On the night of March 11, 1993, he was present at Tiger Memon's Al Husseni building in suburban Mahim when vehicle bombs were rigged up. He was supposed to be in a team that would throw grenades at Mahim Fishermen's colony. At the last moment, he left the place saying he would be back in five minutes but never went back.

Kode also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on Qureshi. The other convict given a life term today was Salim Mirza Shaikh alias Salim Kutta. He was also ordered to pay a fine of Rs 2 lakh.

Salim was mainly involved in landing arms and ammunition at Dighi. He was also present with Mustafa Dossa at a meeting with customs officials at Persian Darbar Hotel in Raigad prior to the landing of the contraband.

Though Salim was not involved in the actual bombings that claimed 257 lives, he was aware of what was being smuggled into Dighi and was given a life sentence for being party to the conspiracy.

With this, 68 of the 100 people convicted for the 1993 blasts have been awarded sentences by the TADA court so far.